Gar-coupling



(No Model.)

N; M. HALE,

GAR COUPLING, No. 267,881. Patented Nov. 21, 1882.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NATHAN M. HALE, OF GRAND VIEW, TEXAS.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 267,881, dated November 21, 1882.

Application filed September 95, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, NATHAN M. HALE, of Grand View, in thecounty of Johnson and State of Texas, have invented a new and Improved Oar-Ooupling, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in self-coupling car-couplings; and it consists essentially of contrivances for setting the buffer or draw-bar and a pin setting, tripping, and uncoupling device higher -or lower for adapting the coupling to couple self-actingly with cars differing in height, all as hereinafter fully described.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings,forming part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the draw-bars and link of a car-coupling constructed according to my invention, the link being ready for self-coupling with the draw-bar of Fig. 2, which is also a section of the draw-bar in whichthe pin is set to be tripped and let fall by the link. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the improved coupling as seen looking at the end of the car. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the link.

There is a pin setting and tripping slide, an, arranged in the link-socket b of the draw-bar c with a spring, d, that presses it forward under the pin 6, to hold it up until the link enters and pushes it back to allow the pin to fall through the link, and thus automatically couple the cars. Thepin is connected by a chain,f, with a lever, g, mounted on ,a standard, h, and ranging toward the side of the car in order that the pin can be lifted up for uncoupling and set on the tripper ready for self coupling from the side of the car, and without danger to the operator from the starting of the car or the car coming up to be coupled.

The coupling-link It is constructed in two parts that are jointed together at the middle transversely, and have a spring, '5, contrived to set the projecting end of the link with an upward pitch to insure the entry of the end into the link-socket of the draw-bar to be coupled on 5 but while the arrangement is satisi'actory for cars of the same height it is not sufficiently variable for cars of different heights.

I therefore now propose to arrange the drawbar 0 in a strong block, j, that is pivoted by trunnions between two timbers, I, attached to the under side of the car-body, in order that the other end may be raised or lowered to adapt it for coupling with higher or lower cars, and for so raising and lowering the draw-bar I arrange the crank m under it, said crank being suitably arranged in journal-boxes attached strongly to the timbers l, and having a handle, a, for turning it to set the draw-bar before the cars connect. To hold the crank in the high, low, or middle position it is made square at 0, and a latch, p, with a square notch is provided for dropping thereon, and thus holding it.

' For the purpose ofreadily altering the length of the connection by which the pin 6 is attached to the lever 9, so that the pin will be properly adjusted together with the draw-bar,- I now employ the chain f and make a hook, q, in the end of thelever for connecting it, so that the chain may be connected by the first, second, or third link of the upper end, according as the draw-bar is set by the crank.

To set the pin up so that it cannot fall when the tripper is pushed back, as may sometimes be required in pushing cars about the yard, I have provided the hook s on the standard It to hook on the long arm oflever g; and for a stop to prevent the lever g from being pressed down too far, and thus raising the pin 6 out of its socket, I arrange the stud-pin tof the hook s in suitable position on the standard h for the lever to-be arrested by it when the pin is raised to the proper height. The pin c is connected to a rod, 21-, which works in a guide-clip, o, to steady the pin.

Having thus described my invention, Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Paten t-- 1. The combination of the crank m and latch p with the vertically-adj ustable draw-bar, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the vertically-adjustable draw-bar c, of a pin-lilting lever, g, having a hook, q, and an adjustable connecting-chain, substantially as described. v

3. The combination of thepin-lifting lever g and hook s with the coupling-pin 0, substantially as described.

4. The hook s, in combination with the pinlifting lever g and coupling pin, and pivoted on a stud, t, arranged to form a stop to the lever, substantially as described.

NATHAN MATHIAS HALE. 

